The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Quoteworthy
“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”—Pope Francis.
“The world no longer looks up to America. … They no longer think we can lead, because they have seen an ineptness and a disdain for civility that is beyond anything in their memory. But without American leadership, the world will, indeed, be transformed, just not in the way we hope. This could all change in November.”—Retired Navy AdmiralWilliam McRaven, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB.
“The White House has all but embraced herd immunity and poisoned the public with misinformation, making it all but impossible to get near-universal compliance with public health advice for the foreseeable future.”—John M. Barry, professor of public health at Tulane University and the author of “The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History.”
“We literally left this White House a pandemic playbook to show them how to respond before a virus reached our shores. It must be lost along with the Republican health care plan.”—Former President Barack Obama at a drive-in rally in Miami.
“A Senate win is critical. Otherwise, we are back to a standoff between a Democratic president and Mitch McConnell.”—Ray LaRaja, University of Massachusetts-Amherst political scientist.
“While I oppose the process that has led us to this point, I do not hold it against her.”—Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in explaining her support of SCOTUS nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
“Biden became a unity candidate in response to an overwhelming, almost feral desire to limit Trump’s damage to one term. When Trump leaves, Democratic unity, I fear, may be close behind. Unlike Republicans who have essential agreement around economic and social policy, our Party has fissures on many fundamental issues.”—Carter Eskew, a top strategist from Al Gore’s 2000 campaign.
“Climate change and climate-change solutions have jumped a number of other really important issues into the forefront of not only what’s being discussed in the waning days of the election, but likely at the top of the agenda in the beginning of the next Congress. That’s fundamentally different.”—Robert Gibbs, former White House press secretary under President Barack Obama.
“Part of what the presidency is about is norm-setting. When a president establishes that it’s OK to make fun of people with disabilities, or to be a racist, or to lie, or to assault women, you see that replicated in society. That’s not a surprise.”—Ian Bassin, head of the nonprofit group Protect Democracy.
“If Biden wins, your borders are gone, which means your health care is gone, the middle class is gone, and your safety is gone.”—Donald Trump, who is not gone yet.
“There is no philosophical underpinning for the Republican Party anymore.”—Lincoln Project co-founder Reed Galen.
“If women defeat Trump next month, it will be because of everything he’s done to defeat them first.”—Michelle Goldberg, New York Times.
“Biden feels others’ pain. Trump doesn’t even feel his own. … He needs the adoration of the mob more than he needs the acceptance of normal people.”—Trump biographer Michael D’Antonio.
“Politicians reckon with shifting demographic realities by following new voters wherever they may be, but when it comes to Latinos they also need to think beyond elections, and beyond the strategic importance of Hispanic Heritage Month itself. When they see us as more than voters, we may give them our votes.”—Geraldo L. Cadava, author of “The Hispanic Republican: The Shaping of an American Political Identity, From Nixon to Trump.”
“A bank won’t lend you money unless you can prove that you don’t need it. That’s especially true with minority-owned businesses.”—John Hope Bryant, CEO of the Atlanta-based nonprofit Operation Hope.
“We haven’t seen the surge worldwide locally, but we know there is just as much (domestic violence)—if not more.”—Mindy Murphy, president and CEO of the Spring of Tampa Bay.
“Mental health issues don’t discriminate. … It’s one of law enforcement’s biggest challenges.”—Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister, on the establishment of the Behavioral Resources Unit that aims to connect people with social service resources before they become the subject of law enforcement calls.
“St. Pete is really a hub for all things marine science.”—Tom Frazer, dean of USF’s College of Marine Science. USF St. Pete recently received a $9 million federal grant to launch a Center for Ocean Mapping and Innovation.
“Right now, Tampa’s on the map in the sports world, with what’s going on with everything here. Having that publicity, it’s hard to put a dollar figure on it, but it’s certainly there.”—Michael Mondello, associate program director at USF’s Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program.